Sturm strike late to leave Videoton facing uphill task

An added-time goal by substitute Roman Kienast has left SK Sturm Graz "in a really good position" to eliminate Videoton FC according to Imre Szabics, the Hungarian international who opened the scoring against his country's national champions.

Having fallen behind to Szabics's opener in the 68th minute, Videoton were on course to leave neighbouring Austria with a narrow defeat before Kienast poked in the second at the death.

"It was special for me to play against a team from my home country; I think I did well," said Szabics, whose one season playing in his homeland came in the colours of Ferencvárosi TC in 1998/99. "We had some problems in the first half but dominated the second. My goal was a bit lucky – I confused two defenders with one move, and the shot was then easy. We're now in a really good position for the second match in Szekesfehervar."

New coach Paulo Sousa predicted the game would be "50-50 for the two sides" and things might have turned out differently for his Videoton team had home goalkeeper Christian Gratzei not made a terrific save to keep out Attila Polonkai's header in the 13th minute.

Clear chances were at a premium, and Szabics dragged one of them wide in the 57th minute. The striker made amends in the 68th, though, as he escaped from two defenders and turned the ball in from five metres. Kienast had the final say two minutes into stoppage time, getting his toe to the ball from close range to leave Videoton with it all to do on home soil next Wednesday.

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